Prospect Talent Score

Probability of Success

History

2007-08: Freddie Hamilton was the first round choice of the Niagara IceDogs at the 2008 OHL Priority Selection.

2008-09: In his OHL rookie season, Hamilton played in 65 games for the IceDogs, scoring 10 goals and adding 18 assists for 28 points. Also played in 12 playoff games, netting 2 goals and adding 2 assists.

2009-10: In his second season with the IceDogs, Hamilton scored 25 goals and added 30 assists for 55 points in 64 games. He played in five playoff games for the IceDogs, netting 1 goal and 1 assist for 2 points. Hamilton played for Team Canada at the 2010 World under-18 Championship. Hamilton was chosen in the fifth round, 129th overall, of the 2010 NHL Draft by the San Jose Sharks.

2010-11: Hamilton was the second-leading scorer for the Niagara IceDogs behind 2011 Islanders’ first-round pick Ryan Strome. Hamilton scored 38 goals with 45 assists and was +25 with 20 PMs in 68 games. Niagara had the OHL’s third best record and reached the playoff semifinals. In 14 playoff games Hamilton scored 4 goals with 10 assists and was -2 with 4 PMs. Hamilton’s younger brother Dougie, a second-year defenseman for Niagara, was selected in the first round of the 2011 NHL Draft by Boston. Freddie Hamilton signed a three-year, entry-level contract with San Jose in May 2011.

2011-12: Hamilton played less games this season but had more points again (35g, 51a) while improving his defensive game with a plus 29 rating in 61 OHL games. The physical centerman can play the shutdown role and plays on both the specialty team units for the Ice Dogs. The quick skating forward represented Canada at the WJC Championship and played a significant role during the tournament against the oppositions’ best forwards. Hamilton and his Niagara Ice Dogs had a long playoff run to the OHL Finals where the team lost the series 4-1 against the London Knights. In the three earlier rounds, the two-way centerman was a force at both end of the rink but was shut down by the Knights defenders in the finals. He finished third overall in the OHL playoffs scoring race, putting up seven goals along with 17 assists and a plus two rating in 20 playoff games.

2012-13: Hamilton played 76 games for the Sharks’ AHL affiliate in Worcester in his first pro season. Steadily seeing more responsibility as the season went on, he scored 13 goals with 13 assists and was -9 with 16 penalty minutes. Worcester missed the AHL playoffs after finishing fourth in the Atlantic Division.

Talent Analysis

Hamilton is a defensive-forward with limited offensive capabilities. He has excellent positioning away from the puck and works well in a specialized role playing bottom-six minutes. His leadership qualities makes him an excellent addition to minor league clubs looking for a locker room leader to help mold their young players.

Future

Hamilton was traded from Colorado to Calgary in September, 2015 and should play the majority of the season with the Stockton Heat.

Photo: Freddie Hamilton has NHL-caliber skill, but a poor training camp has relegated him to the AHL for now. (courtesy of John Russell/NHLI via Getty Images)

The first few weeks of the the 2014-15 season have provided an early glimpse of what San Jose Shark fans can expect going forward during the youth movement in San Jose. General manager Doug Wilson has not shied away from injecting young, inexperienced players into his roster. Read more»

Photo: Tomas Hertl scored 25 points in 37 games with the San Jose Sharks in 2013-14, his rookie season. (courtesy of Jeanine Leech/Icon SMI)

The San Jose Sharks offseason has been met with a great deal of criticism. Much has been said about general manager Doug Wilson and his idea of a rebuild. His self-described “tomorrow team” looks surprisingly similar to yesterday’s team. That is, until you look at all of the changes that happened within the prospect ranks.

Photo: San Jose traded up to 18th overall at the 2013 NHL Draft to select Swiss defenseman Mirco Mueller, a smart do-it-all blueliner for the WHL’s Everett Silvertips (courtesy of Marissa Baecker/Getty Images)

For the first time in a long time, the San Jose Sharks will head into the draft as rebuilders. After a long reign as contenders and potential Stanley Cup hoisters, General Manager Doug Wilson will be closing the window on his perennial powerhouse team.

Photo: Tomas Hertl was on pace to graduate to the NHL in 2013-14 but suffered a knee injury in December (courtesy of Danny Murphy/Icon SMI)

The San Jose Sharks had ample opportunity heading into the 2014 trade deadline to acquire a piece to help them with their quest for a cup. Many speculated that the Sharks would mortgage their future to rise up next to the conference’s best.

Photo: A free agent signing out of Minnesota State-Mankato, Eriah Hayes made his NHL debut with the San Jose Sharks on January 5th in Chicago (courtesy of Warren Wimmer/Icon SMI)

The San Jose Sharks have considerable depth at the minor league affiliate level. Quantity does not equal quality though, and while the ranks are brimming in numbers, there is not a lot to be excited for at the halfway point of 2013-14 season.